Atiku Knocks Tinubu Over Maltreatment Of Retired Police Officers

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the treatment of retired police officers.

He accused the incumbent administration of abandoning the ex-officers to hardship despite their years of service to the country.

Atiku said the officers were being subjected to a broken pension system, forcing them to stage protests at the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to demand their entitlements and a dignified retirement.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku described it as disgraceful that officers who risked their lives protecting Nigerians now have to protest before their legitimate demands can be addressed.

He said, “A government that can deploy police officers to protect the powerful but cannot protect them in retirement has failed them utterly.”

Atiku also questioned the Tinubu administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity, arguing that the treatment of retired officers exposed the contradiction between its security claims and the welfare of those responsible for enforcing the law.

“If police officers who served this country must endure humiliation to demand a fair pension, what hope is there for other Nigerians who have spent their working lives in public service?” he asked.

The ADC presidential candidate said he was troubled by the protests and had directed his team to meet with the affected officers to hear their grievances directly.

He also faulted Tinubu for failing to act on the Police Exit Bill, which, according to the statement, has remained with the president since March.

Atiku condemned what he described as the government’s “use and discard” treatment of police officers who spent their careers protecting Nigerians, including political office holders, but were abandoned after retirement.

He said his proposed Police Dignity Guarantee Plan would prioritise the welfare and retirement security of law enforcement personnel.

The plan includes prompt action on the Police Exit Bill, restoration of gratuity for police officers and improved welfare conditions during and after service. He also pledged to implement the Police Pension Board Bill within 30 days of assuming office.

“Insecurity cannot be defeated while those who protect the country are denied security in retirement. My Police Dignity Guarantee Plan will ensure that officers who serve Nigeria are properly supported throughout their careers and are not abandoned when they retire,” Atiku said.

The latest statement follows an earlier intervention by Atiku on October 18, in which he accused Tinubu of abandoning retired police officers to hunger, illness and humiliation while serving officers allegedly depleted their pension savings to provide for their families.

Atiku demanded an explanation for the delay in signing the Police Exit Bill and called for an urgent salary review for serving police officers following the pay increase approved for members of the Armed Forces.

He cited the case of a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police who reportedly receives a monthly pension of N29,000.

“What would you even buy with N29,000?” Atiku quoted the retired officer as asking.

According to him, the officer also disclosed that more than 120 members of his association of retired police personnel had died within three years.

Atiku further recounted the case of a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police who allegedly resorted to begging at the Central Mosque in Abuja after failing to secure employment following her retirement.

He said one of his media managers discovered the woman begging and alerted him, prompting an intervention.

However, Atiku argued that such interventions could only provide temporary relief and could not replace the secure retirement the officers deserved.

“The Police Exit Bill was sent to Bola in March. It is now October. Section 58 of the Constitution gave him thirty days to signify assent or withhold it. He has given retired officers months of silence,” he said.

He urged the National Assembly to publish the bill’s formal status, demand an explanation for the delay and determine the constitutional steps available to address the matter.

Atiku also called for an open legislative process if a vote becomes necessary, insisting that retired officers should not have to protest before their pension concerns receive attention.